A Libyan linked to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network, arrested three weeks ago in London for possession of false identity papers, was planning an attack on an Italian church with a 15th-century
fresco showing the prophet Mohammed burning in hell, Corriere della Sera reported on Sunday.
The man, whom the paper said was known as Amsa the Libyan, had lived in the northern Italian city of Milan where he was in contact with Islamic fundamentalist groups.
He travelled between Italy, Belgium and Britain, the newspaper said, quoting a Milan prosecutor’s report.
The planned attack was on the church of San Petronio in the northern city of Bologna, which contains a fresco depicting the prophet Mohammed suffering in the fires of hell, it added.
The fresco, painted by Giovanni da Modena in 1400 and inspired by the Divine Comedy by classic Italian writer Dante has been condemned by some Muslims as offensive to their religion.
Italy’s Union of Muslims has asked for Mohammed’s face to be wiped out.
Corriere della Sera said the plot was discovered in February 2002 by Italian anti-terrorist police using wire-taps. – Sapa-AFP